Back to prosperity ? Photo

Photographer’s Note

I thought it was important to celebrate today the first presidential and legislative elections in Democratic Republic of Congo since 41 years.
I sincerely hope that this will open a new era of prosperity and development for this magnificent country.
We, Belgians, have to recognize how much this region of the world offered us in colonial times. There is no time anymore for colonisation, but for a strong partnership with our African brothers.

This picture was taken in the famous copper mine of Kamoto in April 1983.
At that time, things were still running and the "geological scandal" (as the copperbelt is often called) was providing raw material for our industrial economy.
Let's all work together to better share the resources of our planet to the benefit of each and everyone.

worldcitizen, ohe, Angelillo, ktanska, xuaxo, mauricet has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

battousai (827) 2006-07-30 13:16

Nice shot, Eric! Although it depicts a copper mine, it reminds me of war photographs. Those heavy transporters look like tanks going to war. Tanks and copper mines both bring destruction, either to humanity or envinroment. I also like colors, composition (three transporters make the image really well balanced) and the way you've framed the image (especially the shadow).

Best regards and thanks for sharing!

rhizomes (15325) 2006-07-30 14:39

Salut Eric,
Belle image pour célébrer ces élections qui, espérons, apportera une nouvelle ère de paix et de démocratie dans ce pays...
Christophe

ohe (2332) 2006-07-30 15:57

Dear Eric,
Very nice shot!
Shadows and heavy vehicles are very well rendered on your shot!
Thanks a lot for sharing,
- Olivier -

Angelillo (9065) 2006-07-30 17:16

Bonjour Eric. Très interessant la note, esperons nous le moment soit vraiment bon pour le Congo. La photo est très opportune pour exprimer tes desirs, et je pense qu'elle est très belle. Elle a un bel mouvement et une interessante lumière. Merci!

gabrielpat (6493) 2006-07-30 17:45

slt eric,
esperons oui que ces élections changent les choses.Esperons que les richesses ne partent pas en fumée... bien vu le parallèle.très interessant commentaire.

ktanska (16414) 2006-07-31 3:23

Hi Eric,
This one is great! Backlight brings contrast to monotone landscape. Curving driveway gives this dynamic look and those machines show power.
And your message is also important. Lets hope that decocracy comes to stay and bigger part of rich natural resources help the country itself.
Besides this is excellent addition to all too thin selection of work related photos here in TE.
To the favourites.
Kari

adam_k (596) 2006-07-31 3:57

Hi Eric,
Interesting picture going back many years in time...
As it was already mentioned these truck resemple tanks (I thought they were tanks looking on a thumbnail)...

It' good you wanted to celebrate the day of elections in Congo: I also agree it's an important day however the importance of these elections might be slightly overestimated by western observers... it's Africa still with its problems which will not be solved by one election... although it might be a good step forward...

GilbertB (12246) 2006-07-31 7:30

Salut Eric, belle vue de ces monstres d'acier mangeant la montagne. Espérons que la démocratie vaincra. Amitiés.
Gilbert

xuaxo (5637) 2006-10-06 15:38

It is very important to see these working machines. Hope that war machines are gone.
F

manub (920) 2006-12-28 22:18 [Comment]

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arturo (31) 2007-01-18 15:33

Hi Eric,

this reminds of a simliar site in Chile...very often people go a bit over the top to get their hands on precious things...the photo is of excellent quality, the colours are maybe fading a bit too much...but it is a great document...

they have told us to stay at homes tonite...freaky wind from the west...i could have even left the office earlier if i wished...i hope it does not blow too much where you live...

cheers
arturo

btw. there was this guy who crossed parts of Congo basin a few years back...one of the coolest stories i have read at the time...J Michael Fay...on foot, something over a year it took him...found a track on it on the web for your reference:

» Congo on foot